For your Merthur headcannon, i don't know if this is something that'll interest you, but i can't get the image of Arthur, having a fear of maybe snakes, or something along those lines, and Merlin coming from a country background just takes care of the problem like it's nothing while Arthur is trying to be proud, but still hiding behind Merlin at the same time haha
Thank you so much!!! I loved this prompt :)
Merlin always expected Arthur had some fears, but heâs never shown them outwardly. That is, until the snake.Â
One day, as Merlin is heading toward Arthurâs room with a basket-full of clean laundry, he hears Arthur shriek like heâs never heard Arthur shriek before. Itâs like full on shout of terror.Â
Of course, Merlin assumes itâs some sort of super dangerous magical creature or assassin, so he immediately drops the laundry and sprints into the room at full speed, ready to protect Arthur at any cost-
-only to find him huddled up on his bed with nothing in sight. Merlin thinks that maybe the threat left, but Arthur is firmly resolved to not moving.Â
Merlin: Arthur? Whatâs going on? I heard you shout.
Arthur: Nothing. Itâs nothing, Merlin.Â
Merlin: It must have been something. Why are you sitting on your bed, then?
Merlin doesnât buy it, but he lets Arthur sit there until he puts the laundry away. While heâs doing that, he hears a strange hissing noise and spots something moving out of the corner of his eye. He gets a good look at is just before it goes for cover underneath a chair. Itâs a little snake, quite adorable in his opinion. Merlin is familiar with this type of snake, too, as he saw many growing up in Ealdor. He carefully goes over toward it, as not to startle it, then quickly grabs it. It protests, but not for long, as Merlin allows it to comfortably slither around his wrist.Â
Merlin: Arthur! Look at this snake I found.Â
He walks toward Arthur, who cowers away and pales immediately.Â
Arthur: I order you not to come any closer!! Keep that horrible thing away from me!
Merlin: Itâs just a little snake. Heâs harmless.Â
Arthur: None of those vile creatures are harmless!!
Merlin finally puts it together: Wait...are you afraid of snakes?Â
Arthur: I am NOT afraid of snakes! I just happen to...have a distaste for them.Â
Merlin, holding back a grin: Donât worry, Arthur, Iâll remove this big, bad snake from your chamber.
Arthur grumbles at him, but doesnât complain, seemingly still too freaked out to bicker any more.
What Merlin doesnât tell Arthur is that he decides to keep the snake, as they take a liking toward each other. He names the snake Norbert and keeps him in a huge tank that Gaius wasnât using. He also carries him around on his wrist and neck when heâs alone in his chambers.Â
Arthur finds out eventually, and reacts badly. He yells at Merlin to get rid of it, but Merlin refuses because Norbert is like family now. Arthur looks green in the face when he sees Norbert wrapping around Merlinâs neck and cowers slightly behind Gaius, who looks unamused.Â
It takes a while, but Merlin finally convinces Arthur to let him keep Norbert as long as Merlin does not come close to Arthur when he has Norbert with him.Â
The Knights find out about Arthurâs fear of Norbert and tease him mercilessly. The teasing ends when Arthur threatens to reveal some of their most embarrassing fears that theyâve accidentally divulged.Â
Arthur is forced to get used to Norbertâs presence, but no matter how much Merlin insists, he will never like the beast or come within a foot of him. He puts up with him for Merlinâs sake, however, because for some reason, the thing brings Merlin lots of happiness. So, unfortunately, Norbert stays.Â